Ford Battery Monitoring System (BMS) Explanation

[dldjtad]

Someone shared a link to this on the Bronco Sport forum. I found it very helpful and interesting so I thought I would share here as well.

Good stuff, thanks!

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[Packer Bill]

No, resetting BMS does not cause it to learn the new battery capacity or chemistry. This needs to be defined in the BdyCM settings

Can you you change the settings in BdyCM via ForScan?

 

[acapaldi]

Can you you change the settings in BdyCM via ForScan?

Yes, the desktop app supports this, mobile is viewing only. You can modify it through "BdyCM Module Configuration" in the programming and configuration tab, or the "As Built" data. The tabs are more user-friendly and have drop down menus, the as-built tab is harder to follow.

Thanks for the info! Do you think a long commute (50+ miles a day of rural roads and stop and go) would allow the system to charge more?

Definitely, the longer the key is in the ignition, the longer the truck has to replenish the battery. I don't see the BAT_CURRENT amperage change when I'm on the highway vs taking side roads. the system keeps it pretty steady, time is key.

My commute is 9 minutes to and from work, so 18 minutes of driving total. I lose ~1% charge per day doing that. If I bump that to 36 minutes of driving, I can gain 1-2% charge day over day. 50+ miles, you should have plenty of time to replenish whatever is lost to idle drain.

 

[Derwood]

Great video. It helped me to understand how charge a late model car battery and why. A little tip if you drive short trips. Turn off your DRL (daytime running Lights) It will increase your charging rate on the battery and lower the draw.

I leave my climate control off on really short trips when possible

 

[nunucello]

Yes. With Forscan, you can pick the sensors you want to monitor. As an example, I have played around with a few, including the engine coolant temp, amps going into the battery, and battery state of charge. I use a wireless Bluetooth dongle in my OBDII port.

The Windows version has more features, but this is nice for when I'm mobile.

What program is this ? Which OBDI wireless do you use ? Thank you so much.

 

[bgn]

What program is this ? Which OBDI wireless do you use ? Thank you so much.

That's Forscan. You can visit their site to get the app.

This is the dongle I use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08FSNVZVK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[nunucello]

That's Forscan. You can visit their site to get the app.

This is the dongle I use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08FSNVZVK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Thank You

 

[SteveG]

Attached is an article and video from Ford that explains how the BMS system works and how to properly charge a Ford battery so that the BMS will recognize that the battery is being charged.

I found it while researching why my Auto Stop/Start was not working and why I get the "Engine On due to vehicle charging" message when the Auto Stop/Start doesn't engage.

Hope this helps somebody with a similar battery probablem.

 

[mepot101]

I'm an old mechanic from when you just stuck the charger on the terminals to charge your battery. Interesting how technology has changed even the simple things, like charging a battery.
Fordtechmaculoco is really good on this stuff. Thanks for the link to the video.

 

[Robert_C]

One takeaway is to not wire anything, like a ham radio, or dash cam, straight to the negative terminal.

 

[ZABSMAV]

One takeaway is to not wire anything, like a ham radio, or dash cam, straight to the negative terminal.

One takeaway from watching the video is if Ford has been using the BCM since 2011 in the F-150 and still hasn't solved the charging issues, so those of us with the hybrid Maverick deep sleep battery issues are likely SOL with a feeling that Ford really doesn't intend to, or is even capable of, fixing the problem, or even cares to.

 

[Moorparkmark]

Attached is an article and video from Ford that explains how the BMS system works and how to properly charge a Ford battery so that the BMS will recognize that the battery is being charged.

I found it while researching why my Auto Stop/Start was not working and why I get the "Engine On due to vehicle charging" message when the Auto Stop/Start doesn't engage.

Hope this helps somebody with a similar battery probablem.








https://fordauthority.com/2022/11/ford-battery-monitoring-system-explained-in-depth-by-technician/

Thank you- this is an excellent video and resource.

 

[dldjtad]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

 

[The Real Maverick]

Several times in the video he mentioned the truck keeps track of "days in service".

I'll bet each time people do the headlamps & brake tap "reset" it resets the clock to zero. Just like resetting your trip odometer or oil life computer.

So people are telling the truck an "old" battery is new. This may also prevent proper daily recharging, because maybe there is a formula that says a new battery should act like "A" but your aged battery is in condition "D E or F".

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